Reliability Analysis Under Stochastic Loads

A second-moment approximate procedure for reliability analysis of linear structures under combinations of stationary and independent stochastic loads is developed. Loads are modeled as Poisson square wave and filtered Poisson processes. Close bounds on the probability of failure are obtained in terms of the first and second moments of the structure resistance and loads and sets of parameters describing temporal fluctuations of loads. The application of the method to reliability-based design is discussed. An example demonstrates the applicability, as well as validity, of the procedure. The main advantages of the proposed method are its computational simplicity and its ability to analyze structures under any number of sustained and transient loads. The proposed method is particularly suitable for formulation of probabilistic design codes.